The classic smokey eye step by step instruction KRYOLAN, did you know that the smoky eye started to make an appearance in women’s makeup in the 1920s, the era of black and white cinema with snazzy modern shorter fashions. Eyes became the major part of the dramatic look that was worn by the silent movie stars of the day.

A Smokey eye requires: a smooth, flawless skin complexion, bright lips and black eyelashes. This make-up, if properly applied, looks good on every face, regardless of shape. Dark hue cannot be applied to the lid with the same intensity. Use a darker feature color and a lighter supporting color. You have to remember to shape the face balance both the light and the shadow.

The classic smokey eye step by step instruction KRYOLAN

The classic smokey eye step by step instruction KRYOLAN

1) Using a small, flat brush apply the lightest eye shadow (this example, a light grey) on the upper eyelid. If the space between the upper eyelid and the eyebrow is too wide, don’t take the color all the way up to the eyebrow.

The classic smokey eye step by step instruction KRYOLAN

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2) Apply middle-hued eye shadow on the upper eyelid, from the outer corner of the eye to the inner. Remember to smudge the border between the colors thoroughly. Apply the same color along the lower eyelid, pushing it right up to the lash line.

The classic smokey eye step by step instruction KRYOLAN

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3)With a small, thick brush apply the darkest eye shadow on the upper and lower eyelids, putting it along the lash line around the entire eye. Smudge carefully using the middle-hued eye shadow.

The classic smokey eye step by step instruction KRYOLAN

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4) Continue the application of the darkest eye shadow. With a round ended brush, spread the shadow into the areas in which you normally do eye contouring. These are the areas at the outer corners and the crease above the eye.

The classic smokey eye step by step instruction KRYOLAN

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5) Finally, with an eye pencil, contour the upper and the lower rims. The shade of the eye pencil should be darker than the color of the eye shadows you have used. In such a case, use a deep black pencil.

The classic smokey eye step by step instruction KRYOLAN

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If you want to create a quick and simple but effective “smokey” make-up with the use of powder eye shadows, choose two to three shades from the same color palette e.g. black, dark grey and light grey. Use small, thick brushes, which will help you to spread the product more precisely.

Creating classic smokey eye make-up in the case of small eyes, avoid using black eye shadow and absolutely do not apply it in the eye’s inner corners, because this will make the eye look smaller and the make–up will be less than impressive. Instead of black, use a middle-hued shade, such as navy blue. Start the make-up by applying a matt base eye shadow over the whole eye area; this should be a color very similar to the pigment of your skin. The classic smokey eye step by step instruction KRYOLAN and experiment with your present colors and become an expert.

Great instructions and illustrations however in my honest professional opinion – a classic smoky eye looks much more modern without contouring. Originally cigarette ash was used to create smoky eyes – hence the term smoky, but the idea was to smudge leftover cigarette ashes on the lids blending from the lash line. Eventually kohl liner was used to rim the eyes for a more drama so effectively it is about concentrating the darkest shades outward from the lash line which is in fact easy to achieve on most eye shapes. Contouring in my opinion always seems to be where people o wrong. Ideally mastering your own face is key however understanding the effects of individual eye shape, depth and highlighting can make a huge difference.

Dear GeoffreyThank you so much for adding great value to this posting, I did not know that cigarette ash was originally used, but when thinking about it- it makes sense and to add to that – even more sense the name “smoky eye”. I have another posting later to put up that shows “Modern Smoky Eye” however I have heard your sentiments echoed, about contouring from other expert makeup artists like yourself, and it true that a lot of clients when having their makeup completed for them, never pay attention to the artists valuable input as to the shape of their eye, and link that to the contouring & highlighting, once again many thanks and we trust that you’ll continue to give your valuable input to our readers. If you are on FB I would appreciate the same posting, so that our readers could also benefit.thank you Geraldine

Hi Tricia, we will all be waiting, send us the a picture, if you are posting your wedding photos to FB make sure you included us…and good luck with the everything on that day, thanks for dropping by our blog